Machine for closing the groove and smoothing the sole in a shoe

ABSTRACT

A machine for closing the groove or scratch and smoothing a shoe sole following the glueing thereof on the shoe bottom, comprising: an adjustable support for the shoe having means for blocking it, while allowing a slight oscillation thereof on the longitudinal axis; a lever arm mounted as an extension of said support, provided with a horizontal pivot on which the assembly oscillates under pneumatic, oleodynamic or mechanical control; a rotating rocking tool comprising two symmetrical flared frustoconical half rollers facing by the minor bases thereof and mating on the median plane, provided with helical ribs symmetrical to said median plane, characterized in that the ribs of said tool have the edge operating on the sole of a rounded profile, said edge being the first to operate on the sole surface in the direction of rotation, rotation which us imparted to the tool so that the pressure of said two flared frusto-conical half rollers will be exerted on the sole from the shoe center line to the side margins, so that the stretching and compressive action thereof will provide for levelling and simultaneous possible closing of the seam concealing groove or scratch.

United States Patent Pisaroni MACHINE FOR CLOSING THE GROOVE AND SMOOTHING THE SOLE IN A SHOE [72] Inventor: Giuseppe Pisaroni, Settimo Milanese, Italy [22] Filed: 1 Nov. 4, 1970 21 App]. No; 86,774

[30] Foreign Application Priority Nov. 11, 1969 Italy ..24284A/69 May 5, 1970 Italy ..24l75 A/70.

52 us. Cl "1.12/29 [51] Int. Cl. ..A43d 95/04 [58] Field of Search ..12/29, 35.5, 8.3, 34

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,121,967 12/1914 Bates et a1. ..12/35.5

445,613 2/1891 Heimingway et a1. 12/29 737,617 9/1903 Harrigan ..l2/29 3,000,024 9/1961 I'IlObil ..12/8.3

[151 3,681,803 [451 Aug. 8, 1972 Primary Examiner-Patrick D. Lawson Attorney-Krafit & Wells [57] ABSTRACT A machine for closing the groove or scratch and smoothing a shoe sole following the glueing thereof on the shoe bottom, comprising: an adjustable support for the shoe having means for blocking it, while allowing a slight oscillation thereof on the longitudinal axis; a lever arm mounted as an extension of said support, provided, with a horizontal pivot on which the assembly oscillates under pneumatic, oleodynamic or mechanical control; a rotating rocking tool comprising two symmetrical flared frusto-conical half rollers facing by the minor bases thereof and mating on the median plane, provided with helical ribs symmetrical to said median plane, characterized in that the ribs of said too] have the edge operating on the sole of a rounded profile, said edge being the first to operate on the sole surface in the direction of rotation, rotation which us imparted to the tool so that the pressure of said two flared frusto-conical half rollers will be exerted on the sole from the shoe center line to the side margins, so that the stretching and compressive action thereof will provide for levelling and simultaneous possible closing of the seam concealing groove or scratch.

6 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PMENTEnAm: 8 I972 saw 10F 3 GIUSEPPE PISARONI INVENTOR BY/W I ATTORNEY PATENTED 9 8 SHEET 30F 5 A MACHINE FOR CLOSING THE GROOVE AND SMOOTHING THE SOLE IN A SHOE This invention relates to a machine for smoothing the sole and possible peripheral groove or scratch thereof on shoes being processed, so as to cause the sole to firmly adhere to the shoe bottom on which it is applied, promoting the correct adhesion for the two surfaces which have been previously prepared by a suitable cementing material, so that the outer surface of the sole will be curved and shaped according to the precise line of the wooden mould on which the shoe is carried.

There are machines for accomplishing this opoeration, which machines are characterized by an idle roller repeatedly passing over the sole, firstly at a horizontal position, then at an inclined position to the left and to the right so as to approach further the mould curving as far as possible. However, these machines are elementary in design and use; satisfactory results cannot be obtained, particularly from aesthetical standpoint; the processing itself is more difficult and not perfect.

As far as the mechanical means for tool operation and drive are concerned, the machine according to the present invention corresponds to a machine for shoe processing as previously designed, manufactured and patented by the same inventor, for beating or hammering the shoe bottom, shank and the part under the heel and roughening at the same time.

The inventor has found that by making a substantial change in the operation for the main tool, consisting of reversing the rotation thereof, also another important processing can be accomplished, that is the sole smoothing after the same has been glued on the shoe bottom.

The novel machine comprises an adjustable shoe holder or support having means for blocking the shoe, while allowing a slight oscillation on the longitudinal axis; a lever arm mounted as an extension of said support and provided with a horizontal pivot on which the assembly oscillates under pneumatic, hydraulic or mechanical control; a rotating rocking tool comprising two symmetrical flared frusto-conical half rollers facing by the minor bases thereof and mating on the median plane, provided with helical ribs symmetrically of said median plane, these ribs having one of the edges thereof, and particularly the operating edge, which is of a rounded profile for causing the sole to be stretched from inside to outside. This tool is interchangeable and is carried by a bar mounted on a double pivot, allowing for vertical and horizontal oscillations which are free or controlled by proper members, and at the opposite end carrying the motor rotatably driving the tool; whereas the lowering on the underlying sole for the tool, rotating in the shoe feeding direction, is controlled by the impact of said feeding shoe against a rocking member controlling the tool lowering; means being provided for adjusting the position of said control member, as well as means for adjusting the tool pressure and metering means for the passes.

The particular shape of the arcuated profile roller tool and the adjustable pressure thereof uniformly throughout the sole surface, due to the pivoting'device allowing free or limited oscillations and shifts through the tool opening angle, provide for a correct finishing on the sole, including the closing and smoothing of the lip in the groove or scratch, if any, which cannot be simultaneously obtained by any known machines.

The machine will be particularly described in the following, reference being had to the appended drawings schematically showing a not limiting embodiment of the invention, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a right side elevational view showing the machine with the supporting case partly removed;

FIG. 2 is a front view;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are front and side views, respectively, showing the roller-tool on an enlarged scale;

FIGS. 4a is an enlarged view showing a length of the roller-tool profile;

FIGS. 5 to 9 are views showing details and sections of the shoe-holder or support and devices for adjustment thereof;

FIG. 10 is a front view showing; a different embodiment for the rotating tool unit, the frame of which comprises the oscillation producing device and adjustment of the angle of such oscillations;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view according to line 11-11 in FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a partial sectional view according to line l2-l2 in said FIG. 10.

Particularly referring to FIGS. 1. and 2, the machine is mounted on a base member 10, the following elements being integral therewith, respectively; the horizontal pin 1 1 on the front side, the fixed plate 12 at the top, the cylinder 13 at the inside, and the several control members which may be distributed at preferred locations.

The lever 14 is mounted in pin 11, at the top this lever enlarging, such as at 15, and bifurcating into two arms 16 and 17, the first arm or external arm carrying the shoe C and the second arm or internal arm carrying the tip C bearing an adjusting means.

0n plate 12 the vertical pivot 18 is mounted and coupled to the horizontal pivot 19, the latter carrying the pivoted bar 20 which is oscillated. by cylinder 21 and held to the stem thereof by spring 22; the horizontal oscillation of bar 20 on pivot 18 is limited and dampened by a pair of horizontal plungers 23 (FIG. 2) within the cylinders 23' mounted on bracket 24 symmetrically of the fixed plate 25. The oscillation enables the tool to accomodate the several curvatures of the mould bottom. The bar 20, thus capable of oscillating on both pivots 18 and 19, at the rear carries a hinge 26, on the flange of which the motor M is mounted; on the front it carries the tool-holder unit through a longitudinal pivotal arrangement 27-28, the pin 27 of which is fast with a block 29 enlarging at the top to a plate 30 laterally carrying the fixed flanges 31, on which the tool 32 is pivoted, the latter being fast on one side with a pulley 33 connected to the motor by a belt 34. According to a first aspect, a vertical lamina or plate 35 is made integral on plate 30 and forwardly and rearwardly projects over bar 20; on this end and on the two sides thereof two coaxial spring plungers 36 are provided and contained within cylinders 36' fast with bar 20; thus, the free oscillations of the tool according to arrows F in FIG. 2 are limited and sprung through lamina or plate 35 by said plungers 36; said oscillations may also be restricted and the amplitude thereof variously established, as discussed hereinafter.

In view of the several oscillations and rotations con trolled by the tool 32 during operation, it will be appreciated that the spontaneous adherence thereof is provided against the irregular and symmetrical curvature of the sole bottom which is to follow exactly the bottom of the inner mould. The front projection of lamina or plate 35 carries an inclined lamina or plate 37 (FIG. 1) facing the tool and having such a slope that the tool is anyhow caused to overlie the bottom of the advancing shoe.

The rotating tool 32 is of a one pitch hyperboloid shape and on its surface the helical ribs 38 (FIG. 3) are provided and symmetrically arranged relative to the transverse median plane 39. On the right these ribs are left-hand extended and on the left being right-hand extended. The tool rotation is in the same direction as shoe feeding. Each pair of ribs has a V start from plane 39 and the operating edge 38' of each rib is connected by a toric curve which cannot impair in any case the leather surface. Thus, a smoothing and stretching effect will be provided from the center to the two sides of the sole.

Of course, although taking into account the free oscillation of the tool, it cannot be suitable for all the types of shoes and all the sizes of each type, whereby its replacement is necessary when required by the sole type or size.

In an improvement to the above assembly, in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 a modified embodiment for said assembly is shown, in order to avoid the tool replacement and to enable the same to accomodate the several sole curvings, the tool being arranged and controlled so as to oscillate when processing in both directions according to a predetermined angle, these shifts occurring conjointly with the shoe passing under said tool. Therefore, the presser stretcher tool oscillation is controlled directly in accordance with the sole curving, which should be substantially parallel with the curving in the inner mould. Thus, prior to starting the process on a batch of equal soles, the oscillation limits, or the tool shift angle, are adjusted.

It should be noted that the operating head continues to present some oscillatory elasticity, as above predicted, in order to freely and more accurately accomodate the difference, the shoe position and convexities thereof which do not follow a straight line or axis, nor lie on the same plane.

On plate 30, and namely on its center line, a plate 50 is mounted and longitudinally adjustable by set screws 50. On the rear end thereof the vertical flat arm 51 is welded and has a notch 52 at the top.

The arm 51 is located centrally of the frame comprising the two side shoulders 53, a rear vertical plate 54 fast with the former and an upper plate 55 also fast with said shoulders 53. These oppositely and coaxially support two cylinders 56 which are supplied by ducts 57 and the outlet stems of which comprise two pushers 58 converging against arm 51 and suitable, therefore, to move said arm in either direction.

On the upper axis coplanar to the axis of said cylinders a shaft 59 is mounted on said shoulders 53, at one end being fast with the external handwheel 60 and passes through said arm 51 in the proper notch 52 and is provided with threads symmetrical to the center line, so that the two cylindrical blocks screwed therein at equal spacings from said center line, and thus from arm 51, move to and away from each other by acting on said handwheel 60. During the push exerted by pushers 58,

the arm 51 will bear against these adjustable stops, thus assuring an accurate oscillating are for tool 32.

The frame 53-54-55 is made fast with the bar 20 by the connecting plate 35', while the rotating tool frame is supported by pivot 27-28 which is also fast with said bar 20.

The setting up of the tool is accomplished by rendering idle the pneumatic or hydraulic device. The tool will freely accomodate the sole'curving profile. The device is prearranged by selecting the oscillating arc coincident with the total sole curve through handwheel 60. Now it will be convenient to select the amount of passes for the sole under the tool by the proper meter, taking into account that said tool operates in a horizontal direction during the sole entry, moves to one side during the first return, moves back horizontally at the second shoe re-entry, moves to the opposite side during the second return, and so on.

The lever 14, which is pivoted at 11 (FIG. 1), receives the shifts by means of the lower pivot 14' which is coupled to the stem of cylinder 13. The front upper arm 16 has the oscillating element 40 pivoted to its upper end and has the pin 41, in which the mould L is slipped and, additionally, is under the action of the outer arm 42 which is connected to the pair of crank levers 43 driven the stems of cylinders 44 which are bound on element 15 and provide for causing said element 40 to oscillate for blocking the shoe during processing on the self-adjustable bearing 45, carried by the upright 46 having a toothed side 46' for adjusting the level thereof, while the whole unit 4647 is suitable to move horizontally on the toothed cross-piece 17' fast with the arm 17.

The oscillation of the unit carrying the shoe to the tool 32 causes the tip C of shoe C to meet the feathered lamina or plate 49 laterally pivoted at 49. The contact will cause motor M to be electrically started and the tool to be lowered by the stem of cylinder 21. These two controls are variously adjusted in the contacts provided by the shifting of lamina or plate 49, so as to accelerate or delay said lowering.

The amount of passes of shoe C under the tool may be programmed by a normal meter 48, as well as all of the other adjustments, such as pressure of lever 14 and other requirements are effectable by known means and applicable by any skilled technician.

What is claimed is:

1. A machine for closing the groove or scratch, and smoothing and stretching the sole of a shoe following the gluing thereof onto the shoe bottom, which comprises an adjustable and oscillating support for the shoe, said support having means thereon to firmly locate said shoe and which oscillates about its longitudinal axis; a lever arm mounted as an extension of said support, said lever arm having a horizontal pivot about which the said support oscillates; a rotating tool mounted on said lever arm which oscillates about its longitudinal axis, said tool comprising two symmetrical, flared, frusto-conical half rollers, facing one towards the other at the smaller ends thereof and joined in the median plane thereof and having helical ribs symmetrical to said median plane, said rotating tool and its frame being on the same vertical line; a fixed vertical arm on said vertical line actuated by two coaxial pushers, said pushers being orthogonal thereto and solidly fixed to the pistons of two hydraulic cylinders disposed opposite to each other and alternately controlled; the limits of the oscillation of said lever arm being controlled by limit switches connected thereto.

2. A machine according to claim 1, including a shaft positioned parallel and vertically coplanar with the axis of the two said cylinders, said shaft having symmetrical threads crossing the vertical arm and fixed in a hollowed groove and supported by shoulders of the boxshaped frame of said machine, said shaft having two cylindrical blocks screwed thereto providing the stoplimit of said arm, said shaft carrying at the end thereof exiting from the supporting shoulder a handwheel whereby control of the displacement of the shaft in either direction causing said two cylinders to move towards, or away from each other is made, by said handwheel; said arm stopping against said cylinders in their angular movements.

3. A machine according to claim 2, including pusher means and wherein said pusher means, said hydraulic cylinders and said shaft are mounted on the shoulders of a box-shaped frame fixed to said machine.

4. A machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotating tool and associated frame are idly pivoted to the horizontal bar of the machine.

5. A machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the pusher means and associated coaxial cylinder, as well as the limit stop carrying shaft are mounted on a separate box-like frame, and particularly on the two side shoulders thereof, firmly connected to the horizontal bar of the machine.

6. A machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said shaft having symmetrical threads is carried by said shoulders parallel and vertically coplanar with the axis of the two cylinders, said shaft passing through the fixed vertical arm in a proper notch and having two cylindrical blocks screwed thereon providing for the stop limit of said arm, said shaft carrying at one end exiting from the supporting shoulder a handwheel, by which the shaft can be rotated in either direction causing said two cylinders to move to or awayfrom each other, in its angular movements said arm stopping against said cylinders. 

1. A machine for closing the groove or scratch, and smoothing and stretching the sole of a shoe following the gluing thereof onto the shoe bottom, which comprises an adjustable and oscillating support for the shoe, said support having means thereon to firmly locate said shoe and which oscillates about its longitudinal axis; a lever arm mounted as an extension of said support, said lever arm having a horizontal pivot about which the said support oscillates; a rotating tool mounted on said lever arm which oscillates about its longitudinal axis, said tool comprising two symmetrical, flared, frusto-conical half rollers, facing one towards the other at the smaller ends thereof and joined in the median plane thereof and having helical ribs symmetrical to said median plane, said rotating tool and its frame being on the same vertical line; a fixed vertical arm on said vertical line actuated by two coaxial pushers, said pushers being orthogonal thereto and solidly fixed to the pistons of two hydraulic cylinders disposed opposite to each other and alternately controlled; the limits of the oscillation of said lever arm being controlled by limit switches connected thereto.
 2. A machine according to claim 1, including a shaft positioned parallel and vertically coplanar with the axis of the two said cylinders, said shaft having symmetrical threads crossing the vertical arm and fixed in a hollowed groove and supported by shoulders of the box-shaped frame of said machine, said shaft having two cylindrical blocks screwed thereto providing the stop-limit of said arm, said shaft carrying at the end thereof exiting from the supporting shoulder a handwheel whereby control of the displacement of the shaft in either direction causing said two cylinders to move towards, or away from each other is made by said handwheel; said arm stopping against said cylinders in their angular movements.
 3. A machine according to claim 2, including pusher means and wherein said pusher means, said hydraulic cylinders and said shaft are mounted on the shoulders of a box-shaped frame fixed to said machine.
 4. A machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotating tool and associated frame are idly pivoted to the horizontal bar of the machine.
 5. A machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the pusher means and associated coaxial cylinder, as well as the limit stop carrying shaft are mounted on a separate box-like frame, and particularly on the two side shoulders thereof, firmly connected to the horizontal bar of the machine.
 6. A machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said shaft having symmetrical threads is carried by said shoulders parallel and vertically coplanar with the axis of the two cylinders, said shaft passing through the fixed vertical arm in a proper notch and having two cylindrical blocks screwed thereon providing for the stop limit of said arm, said shaft carrying at one end exiting from the supporting shoulder a handwheel, by which the shaft can be rotated in either direction causing said two cylinders to move to or away from each other, in its angular movements said arm stopping against said cylinders. 